Kitchen Remodeling
Lake Oswego Oregon
Need A Kitchen Makeover?
Homeowners spend a good deal more money on their kitchen remodeling projects than on just about every other home improvement project. The good news is that the costs of kitchen remodeling can be recovered by the value they add to your home. However, it is important to take the correct steps and make practical choices if you are to maximize your return on investment.
How much time should you take to plan?
If you want to do it right, it might take longer to plan your kitchen remodel than the actual construction does. You may not believe this, the National Kitchen and Bath Association actually advocates that you spend no less than six months planning. This seems like a bit of overkill, but it would definitely help you to be absolutely sure about everything decision you have to make before any remodeling beings. The longer you spend planning the less likely it is that you will discover a some newfangled component that you want to incorporate that could interrupt the construction process.
With the proper planning beforehand we can reduce your level of inconvenience that occurs during the construction phase. It will also help you stay on budget and even save a good amount of money. The last thing you want to do is interrupt the construction process once it has begun. This would likely result in additional construction costs and negatively affect your return on investment.
Avoid structural changes if possible
One sure fire way to increase your remodeling costs is to change the location of your electrical outlets, plumbing pipes or knocking down walls. With all the unforeseen issues that can potentially come from this, it is best to simply leave the kitchen as structurally intact as possible. You will not only save on demolition and reconstruction costs, but you will also reduce the amount of debris and dust you will have to contend with during your project.
What are your priorities?
A word of warning, you should really focus on the overall efficiency and design of your kitchen instead of getting too hung up on kitchen tools and appliances. The luxury brand refrigerator may seem like a need, but if it negatively impacts the budget and makes you cut corners that ultimately reduce your kitchens functionality then you will probably regret it. Long term items such and flooring and cabinets are where you should really put your money.
Don’t forget to measure
You in all likelihood add a few new features into your kitchen, but it is just as important to find out whether they will actually fit. For instance, the size of your doorway might limit your ability to get the extra-large fridge you want. I may be obvious to you, but often times people overlook that any large items that you buy for your kitchen have to make it through your front door. You should be sure to measure your entry doors and ceiling height to ensure that you can get all of your large items inside. It is best to be certain that you have all of the materials and fixtures on hand before any construction actually begins.
Lake Oswego Kitchen Remodeling
Go for quality
Although it is a good idea to be careful about throwing your money around on unnecessarily expensive kitchen items, it is just as important to go for functionality and durability, and this may not come cheap. What may seem like a bargain now might cost you more in the long run. The key is to find that sweet spot between affordabiliy and high quality. You also might want to focus on products with long warranty periods and low maintenance requirements. For example, top quality countertops may seem expensive at the start, but will look great for many years to come.
Be prepared
As with any project like this you have to be prepared for the unexpected. While taking a significant amount of time to plan should minimize any unpleasant surprises, there’s no way to guarantee that everything will go according to plans. For example, it’s always wise to add a little leeway for the completion of your project. If you must have it done in January, then it would make sense to plan to complete the project by November just to be safe.
Where do professionals come in?
Employing the pros from the very start, as early as the planning stage, is a smart way to guarantee that remodeling the kitchen in your Lake Oswego home will be successful. Pros know how to simplify what would otherwise seem extremely complex. Our expert skills would also be helpful in foreseeing potential problems which you will be able to avoid and save yourself a lot of money in the process. It is also important to maintain open lines of communication with your contractor. This keeps us all on the same page, and makes it easier to keep the project on budget.
Are you planning a kitchen remodel for your Lake Oswego home? Steve’s Home Improvement is your perfect home remodeling partner. We are a team of professional kitchen and home remodeling contractors that will be by your side every step of the way and build the kitchen of your dreams. For a free consultation call us today at (503) 342-8234.
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